Table 4.

Primary My Parenting Goal categories of parents attending B&U

Goal category	N (%)	Relevant B&U programme aim
Improve knowledge about parenting	30 (21.9)	To understand how to stimulate their baby using singing, touch and physical play. Increase maternal and paternal sensitivity to their baby’s cues.
Improve knowledge about infant routines/feeding/sleeping	23 (16.8)	To help mothers and fathers understand their baby’s crying/sleeping/feeding and to feel more confident managing the practicalities of their baby’s routine.
Improve understanding of infant and parent-infant communication/relationship	18 (13.1)	To help mothers and fathers communicate with their baby. To build attachment between mothers and babies, and fathers and babies. To acquire an understanding of their baby’s temperament
Improve personal confidence	19 (13.9)	Give mothers and fathers more confidence in their role.
Increase social network	20 (14.6)	To help parents develop friendships with other parents which are mutually supportive.
Improve parental mental health	15 (10.9)	To help parents process the impact of the birth experience.
Other*	12 (8.8)
	total n = 137

*Parent goal was written in a way that did not contain enough information to categorise or n < 3 so did not form category. Examples included “save money for holiday”, “graduate from university”, “how to prioritise the things”, “me”